Kings Theatre regeneration work about to begin - what is being done, how much will it cost and is the theatre staying open?
A neglected terrace at the Kings Theatre is the focal point of a new regeneration project - and work is about to begin.
Over the past year, a project known as Elevation 1907 has been in the pipeline at the Kings Theatre in Albert Road, Southsea, which will transform part of the building that has long been left derelict.
Under these plans, the empty adjacent shops will be incorporated into the theatre’s structure, while being held in keeping with the theatre’s original design and structure. As part of this, a brand new entrance foyer will be created, along with a flexible rehearsal and communal space. The portico at the front of the building will also be restored.
Planning permission has already been granted by Portsmouth City Council, with the application being approved last summer. Now, the redevelopment work is on the verge of getting underway.
Jack Edwards, deputy CEO and pantomime dame at the Kings Theatre, said: “After two decades of vision, planning, and perseverance, we are thrilled to see work finally underway.
“Elevation 1907 represents our commitment not only to restoring a beautiful historic building, but to strengthening its place at the heart of our community for the next century.
“It's taken a long whole and we are so excited that it's actually happening. The scaffolding has gone up, we're now getting everything ready.”
Regenerating a Grade II listed building like the Kings Theatre is no small task, especially when keeping the new development thematically the same as Frank Matcham’s original design.
"We're hoping it'll take 16 months at the maximum, but it's a very exciting time for Portsmouth; we'll be starting the construction work in just a couple of weeks”, Jack explained.
Portsea-based firm Pritchard Architecture was brought on board to design the project, which also promises to include a bar in the new foyer and be fully-accessible for all visitors.
All-in-all, the project has been estimated to cost around £4.5-5m, with the cost being almost entirely covered by theatre ticket sales, donations, memberships and grants.
Portsmouth City Council leader, Cllr Steve Pitt, said: "It's actually amazing, there have been various iterations of this regeneration scheme - the theatre is doing incredibly well and rightfully so, because it has a fantastic team behind it.
"This is all for the long-term benefit of the theatre and its audiences.
"We've got to remember that this beautiful Edwardian theatre was built for a different time. It's really important that theatres, where they have the opportunity to, are able to make the adaptations for usability for their audiences.
"This will make such an improved experience for people coming to the Kings.
"I'm absolutely thrilled that Portsmouth City Council has been able to makea contribution to this scheme. We had the money set aside before the pandemic hit - we had to temporarily take that away but always said that as soon as the project was greenlit, we'll put that money back and it's in the city council budget this year."
Jack added: “We do a lot of in-house productions, like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the moment. We are fortunate now we have joined with the New Theatre Royal, there is a studio down there but we're always struggling to find venues to rehearse. It's actually really nice that it's part of our plan to have the studio - it'll be an incredible space."